brake problem

[smoketire]

hi. i have a 97' explorer sport 4.0l soch and when i go to stop the brake pedal vibrates and niose like urrrrrrrr comes out from behind the firewall i believe. the brake pads are good and the fluid is fine. does anyone know what this means? thank you to anyone who can help me.

 

[aldive]

Have you checked the rotors?

 

[manaen]

Sounds like your ABS is kicking in. is the ABS light on in the dash, if so you have a bad ABS sensor that is kicking in the ABS when you apply the brakes.

The sound you hear is the ABS motor running, and the pulse you feel comes from the ABS motor cycling the brakes.

 

[jamester_a]

Common problem - Abs engage when slowing down.

Your abs is coming on probably because your front wheel speed sensors (WSS) are giving some bad readings as you come to a stop. The problem often stems from a rust build up around the hole in the hub where the WSSes are mounted. Very common for east coast exploders. If you remove your front rotors, you can get at the sensors. They are held in place with a single bolt (-allen IIRC) and should pull out, HOWEVER, give them a shot of penetrating fluid before trying to GENTLY turn/tug/pull them out or they will BREAK if the sensor shaft (plastic) is being held by rust in the hub hole. (....voice of experience....lol).

Once you have xtracted the sensor from the hub, then clean up the rust around the mounting hole so that the sensor will fit flush again. Stuff a rag in the hole so any junk doesnt fall inside the hub. The rust causes the sensor to be slightly misaligned from the reluctor (toothy ring) inside the hub which is the root of zee problem.

Sometimes the hub will be on the way out and you have to spend the big $$, or your sensors are shot, but ususally that is not the case.

- James
97 4wd XL